Campus Life

To aid in acclimating new LIS students to campus life at SLIS, we have compiled useful information about life on campus and in Boston. For information about Western Massachusetts, visit the page for LIS@SLIS West.

You can open a Fenway Cash account that is tied to your Fenway Card (your Simmons student ID). If you do so, you can use your Fenway Card to purchase food and other items at the Fens Cafe, Common Grounds Café Cafe, Meyers Cafe and the bookstore. You can also use these funds on any copy machine on campus. For more information, see the Fenway Card page.

Room Numbers

Simmons, Boston, MA: SLIS courses are held throughout campus (please see the campus map). Prior to the start of each semester, room numbers are added to AARC and posted on bulletin boards in the Palace Road building (outside of P-111 and the one at the end of the hall near the SLIS Lounge). Course schedules with room numbers are also linked as pdf documents on the Academic Calendar. The abbreviations used for buildings on the Boston academic campus are:

C: Main College Building—Center section

E: Main College Building—East wing

L: Lefavour Hall (the Beatley Library building)

M: School of Management Building

P: Palace Road Building

S: Science Building

W: Main College Building—West wing

Mount Holyoke: LIS courses are held in several buildings. Prior to the start of each semester, room numbers are added to AARC and the online course schedules; they may also be sent out via e-mail. The buildings are designated by their full names ("Library," "Kendade," etc.). See the Mount Holyoke campus map for more information.

Directions to the Campuses

All LIS students are welcome to enroll in courses at either the Boston Campus or at LIS@SLIS West. You must arrange your own transportation and lodging, if necessary. For more information on traveling to a campus you do not normally attend, please see the Directions page. Directions to SLIS West can be found on the Directions to Mount Holyoke College page.

Train and Bus Options: If you'd prefer not to drive into Boston, this page on commuter alternatives should help.

Escorts: Use the Safety Escort Program from the Main campus to the Residence campus, 4:00 p.m.-midnight. Call 617-521-1112, or pick up a campus phone and dial 1112.

Inclement Weather: Snow policy/cancellations will be announced on WBZ, WHDH, WRKO, WBCN-AM Radio; WBUR-FM Radio; WBZ-TV channel. You can also call the Simmons University Information Hotline at 617-521-3463. For more information, visit the Emergency Preparedness Planning page.

Lost and Found: Protect your belongings. If you lose something, check with the SLIS Tech Lab and the Public Safety Office.

Health & Wellness

Health Insurance

All students taking 9 or more credits are required by Massachusetts State law to enroll in the Student Health Insurance or be covered by a health insurance plan with comparable coverage. To ensure compliance with Massachusetts law, Simmons University students are automatically enrolled in and billed for the Student Health Plan, which is separate from the Health Center fee.

For more information on these regulations, please visit the website of the Massachusetts Health Connector. The Health Connector also provides information on insurance plans made available throughout the state.

Health Center

The Simmons University Health Center provides some services to all students on a walk-in and by-appointment basis. The Health Center is "staffed by registered nurses, nurse practitioners and physicians. All physicians are Board Certified and have appointments at Harvard Medical School and at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center." If you have a dental problem, contact the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, located on 188 Longwood Avenue, 617-432-1434.